950 Page Mill Road

1875 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

In the first month of 2014, WilmerHale announced the internal elevation of five lawyers to partner in Boston, New York and Washington, DC; this includes four litigators and one M&A practitioner. To reinforce its organic growth WilmerHale also significantly boosted its global practice areas throughout 2013 by welcoming a distinguished group of lawyers from diverse positions in government, business and private practice, including Trevor Cook, a leading patents expert. In total the firm hired a remarkable 20 partners since the beginning of last year. WilmerHale’s growing strength can be appreciated through a near 20 per cent growth in our listings.

WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR

Arbitration

6

Investigations

6

Aviation

2

Life Sciences

5

Business Crime Defence

7

M&A

3

Commercial Litigation

3

Patents

2

Competition

10

Private Funds

1

Corporate Governance

5

Telecoms and Media

1

Environment

1

Trade & Customs

4

Information Technology

2

Trademarks

1

Insolvency & Restructuring

1

PEOPLE AND PRACTICES

WilmerHale has one of the leading competition practices in Europe and the US. In Washington, DC, Thomas Mueller co-chairs the firm’s antitrust and competition practice group. His expertise in antitrust laws on both sides of the Atlantic has aided the successful closure of investigations, without enforcement action, for his clients. James Lowe is a “celebrated” competition lawyer. His practice includes civil and criminal investigations, trial court and appellate litigation and merger clearance, which he has undertaken before the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and other state and federal agencies. In Brussels, John Ratliff is a “superb” lawyer, who has handled matters involving Phase I and II EU merger control, cartel defence cases, abuse of dominance and competition remedies before the European Commission, national courts and the European Courts. Also working at the heart of the EU is Claus-Dieter Ehlermann, who provides “exceptional counsel” on all aspects of EU competition law, in particular, behavioral investigations, merger clearances and state aid. In the Berlin office, Ulrich Quack is an expert in EU and particularly German cartel investigations, merger control law and market power issues. He is joined by Stefan Ohlhoff, who is “highly praised” for his advice in matters regarding the compliance of joint venture and other agreements, along with general European regulations.

The firm also boasts a “fantastic” investigations practice. Howard Shapiro, who also features in our business crime defence chapter, is the chair of the litigation and controversy department. He focuses his “esteemed” practice on white-collar criminal defence, complex commercial litigation and securities enforcement matter. Stephen Pollard and Karen Green also feature in both chapters. Pollard is a “seasoned litigator” who represents senior managers, brokers and traders facing allegations of insider trading, market manipulation and market abuse, particularly in proceedings brought by the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority. Green has extensive experience representing companies in high-stakes government investigations and litigation of alleged fraud, bribery, conspiracy and violations of federal statutes. William McLucas, chair of the securities department, represents public companies, investment banks, accounting firms, as well as numerous corporate executives and directors in connection with Securities and Exchange Commission investigations.

Further recognition must go to the lawyers in the firm’s life sciences department. Indeed, Trevor Cook is a “brilliant” life sciences and litigation lawyer, who acts in many of the most significant pharmaceutical and biotechnological patent infringement and regulatory cases. In Frankfurt, Rüdiger Herrmann’s knowledge of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries is “widely respected”. He advises clients on technology transfer agreements, licence agreements, collaborations and co-development agreements. Steven Singer, who is chair of the transactional department, is “renowned” for his long-standing advice to public and private companies in the life sciences industry, focusing on joint ventures and strategic alliances, corporate and securities law, public offerings and venture capital transactions. William Lee, also noted for being in our patents and commercial litigation chapter, has an “outstanding appreciation” of the technology sector and has tried more than 100 cases to verdict and argued more than 75 cases to the Court of Appeals of the Federal Circuit and other appellate courts.

KEY FACTS

Total Listings in WWL

60

Established

1918

Home jurisdiction

US

Total size of firm

1,000

Number of partners

Over 300

Number of offices

15

PRO BONO

WilmerHale provides an almost unprecedented contribution to pro bono legal services. Last year, the firm was recognised by us for its dedication, ingenuity and enthusiasm which placed it in our top 10 pro bono firms following our global survey. In total, more than 70 per cent of partners and associates donated a staggering 129,979 pro bono hours. The firm’s highlights include a significant victory on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts when the First Circuit held the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional and renewing its commitment to its eight philanthropic partners which includes Bread for the City in DC.

DIVERSITY

WilmerHale believes that success for a global law firm in the 21st century requires a commitment to diversity that starts at the top and courses through the firm at every level. To this end, the firm has established such programs as the Women’s Leadership Initiative and a diversity committee, which seeks to implement policies designed to assist its attorneys, especially its female attorneys, in maximising their potential so that the entire spectrum of talented lawyers can reach the upper echelons of the profession.

LOOKING FORWARD

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the merger between Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, and Hale and Dorr, to become Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. Following the merger the firm has grown its offices, practice areas and networks to become a truly global 21st century firm. Despite this success, WilmerHale will not rest on its laurels as the past year of hiring and its increased presence in our listings has shown. Indeed, the firm will continue to promote and draw on the expertise of some of the world’s leading practitioners to remain at the forefront of an ever more competitive market.

Nominees have been selected based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.